AbstractIn this paper, the modelling of CMOS SCL gates is addressed. The topology both with and without output buffer is treated, and the noise margin as well as propagation delay performance are analytically derived, using standard BSIM3v3 model parameters.The propagation delay model of a single SCL gate is based on proper linearization of the circuit and the assumption of a single‐pole behaviour. To generalize the results obtained to cascaded gates, the effect of the input rise time and the loading effect of an SCL gate are discussed.The expressions obtained are simple enough to be used for pencil‐and‐paper evaluations and are helpful from the early design phases, as they relate SCL gates performance to design and process parameters, allowing the designer to gain an intuitive understanding of performance dependence on design parameters and technology.The model has been validated by comparison with extensive simulations using a 0.35‐µm CMOS process. The model agrees well with the simulated results, since in realistic cases the difference is less than 20% both for noise margin and delay. Therefore, the model proposed can be profitably used for pencil‐and‐paper evaluations and for computer‐based timing analysis of complex SCL circuits. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.